Inside look at Google Seattle: Puppies, lava lamps, etc.

It’s amazing that Google employees can get any work done. Between the three daily catered meals, on-site massage therapist, free gym membership and game room (complete with air hockey, darts and Foosball), Google’s new development center in Fremont boasts amenities that rival some resorts.

Just in case there aren’t enough entertainment options, kayaks are available so staffers can go for a mid-day paddle on the nearby Lake Washington Ship Canal. There’s even a “quiet room” — complete with lava lamp, massage chair and wonderful views of the water — where Google employees can presumably dream up the next great Internet application while their muscles are relaxed.

Google opened the Seattle development center in October 2007 and has already hired about 75 people to work there. It will focus on systems development, the back end infrastructure that makes the company’s applications hum, but also has projects going on in Web site testing and mapping.

Google’s game room P-I Photo: Andy Rogers

The Mountain View, Calif.-based Internet search giant, which also has a sales office in Fremont and a development center in Kirkland, pulled back the covers on the new Seattle office to the press and members of the technology industry today.

The message was clear. Google, which is aggressively competing with Amazon.com, Microsoft and hundreds of startups for smart people, wants to portray itself as a fun place to work that does things a little differently. In the lexicon of the Internet company, that new approach to business is called “Googley” — a word that was uttered throughout the tour and demonstration.

The war for talent was on the minds of Google executives today. Brian Bershad, the University of Washington computer science professor who was picked to lead the new Seattle office about three months ago, avoided the topic when asked how the company competes against Microsoft and others. “We have a tremendous number of really strong people who have come out of UW … who are here at Google today. Where else they may have chosen to go, I have not had that conversation.”

But Shiva Shivakumar, vice president of engineering at Google, quickly followed up on that comment.

“We have not lost too many to other companies in the area,” said Shivakumar to laughs from the crowd.

Bershad added: “That’s a slightly stronger way of putting it.” And he noted that the company attracts people from all over the world.

“People come to Google. We don’t so much take from other employers,” he said.

The executives declined to say how many people they plan to hire in the Seattle area in the coming years, though the company has quickly grown from two people four years ago to more than 450 people today.

“In the case of Kirkland and Seattle, the growth rate has been astounding because we have been able to find some really, really talented people,” said Alan Eustace, senior vice president of engineering and research. “That has fueled, I think, one of the highest growth rates we have had worldwide and I expect we will continue to try to grow as we find the best people.”

Technology insiders who attended the open house said it is a good thing that Google has chosen to grow in Seattle.

Google’s new office, along with Yahoo’s plans to expand in Bellevue and the new startup companies that are being formed, creates an “intellectual stimulation” not found in other areas, said venture capitalist Tom Alberg.

“I think ultimately it is a cycle of people,” said Alberg, a founding partner of Madrona Venture Group. “They will attract people, those people will do interesting work and then they will go do their own thing. Overall, it is extremely positive that Google is here.”

For years, Alberg said economic development officials talked about ways to attract corporate headquarters or manufacturing plants to the region. But what has really proven successful is building “intellectual centers” around companies like Google, RealNetworks and Amazon.com

“We tend to think of them as companies, but they are really research centers,” he said.

Ed Lazowska, a computer science professor at the UW who has been encouraging Google to open a Seattle office for years, said that the company could become one of the anchors for the tech cluster popping up in Fremont. He notes that more than half a dozen companies — ranging from Adobe to startups such as All Star Directories — have offices on North 34th Street.

“Having these guys here makes an enormous difference,” said Lazowska when asked about Google. “The tech industry has this network effect.” Furthermore, the Ballard resident — echoing the thoughts of many commuters — noted that “getting to Kirkland is a schlep.”

Google’s Brian Bershad

The nasty commute times in the Seattle area played a big part in setting up the new office, with Bershad explaining some of the reasons Google was attracted to the area.

“Great technology. Great venture. Great university. Great opportunity. And it is in Fremont,” he said. “For years and years, I have thought about not driving across the lake. And I thought here is an opportunity to continue to not drive across the lake and to do the kind of work that I have been doing for now 20 plus years, but to do it in a company that really reflects the values that I and a lot of my colleagues have.”

Like other Google offices, the new 60,000 square foot space boasts giant white boards, colorful bouncy balls, plenty of lava lamps and free snacks. Dogs are welcome, with a pet center complete with treats and toys located near the coffee station.

All employees share office space, including Bershad who is strategically positioned in the middle of the open floor plan. Conference rooms are named after Seattle landmarks — Gasworks, Interurban and Houseboat for example.

Google employee on yellow bouncy ball. P-I Photo; Andy Rogers

Many of the rooms have video conferencing, so employees can set up meetings between the more than 40 different Google offices.

Employees also had a hand in designing the layout and decor of the office, which was previously occupied by Getty Images. In the spirit of Fremont’s arts community, some employees also contributed the paintings that hang on the walls.

“When you spend so much time at work, you should have some input on what it is like,” said Peter Wilson, engineering director and director of the Kirkland office. “That is the Google way. Things are not top down.”

The P-I’s Monica Guzman also took the tour with video camera in hand, noting some of the crafty canines of Google.